Shyamal Sen got his Sarode training in the Maihar Gharana from Shri Santosh Chandra in Kolkata and Ma Annapoorna Devi in Mumbai. He remembers his two gurus with loving affection, and attributes his special connection with music to the teachings of his gurus.

Sarode is a complex string instrument with liquid and sophisticated tonal richness, originating from Afghanistan but also linked intimately with an Indian folk instrument, Dotara. The artist considers Sarode to be the catalyst for attaining transcendental experiences.

A resident of New Jersey, Shyamal Sen has taught and performed in both India and the USA in the past four decades.